I have a collection of legal pads on my desk, with a mixture of important messages and ideas, along with expired to-do lists and no-longer-needed hand-written notes.  Following our Network Conference, it felt like a good desk cleaning was in order.  On the top page of one of those pads I found this:

I didn't understand why I was having panic attacks.

Writing a book wasn't easy, but I was writing a Bible study guide to explore the topic of rest. If there was anything I knew how to do, it was unpacking Scripture.

Yet here I was lying on my bed, unable to sleep, my brain muddled with worries. I found it difficult to breathe, a tightness clamped around my chest. If I dozed, my pounding heart would jolt me awake with rapid-fire palpitations. ...

  http://www.giftedforleadership.com/2014/06/what_feeds_your_soul.html#more

"All things have the stamp of Christ upon them.  His will is woven into their very structure.  There is both a Christ touch a Christ purpose in creation."

E. Stanley Jones (1884-1973) was controversial: he was a missionary to India, a friend of Gandhi and President Roosevelt, and a courageous witness to Jesus Christ during a time when many educated Christians (even missionaries!) were saying that all religions were basically the same.

In short pages and simple words, the author begins with the centrality of Jesus Christ and goes on to show how cooperating with Jesus - the Way - brings our lives into harmony with God's purposes.  Jones gently points out common human struggles and urges us to reach higher:  "The Christian has chosen to be Christ-directed instead of circumstance-directed.  If you allow other people's conduct and attitudes to shape yours, you will be changing with every person you meet ... you will be below the Christian level, following the law of karma instead of the law of Christ."

The Way is one of those special books that can be enjoyed by anyone - a spiritually hungry neighbor, a regular church-goer, or a full-time minister or missionary.  In Granada, Spain, our entire missionary team is reading it together as a devotional, and we are finding it challenging, encouraging, and fruitful.  I've recently given it as a gift to a new Christian.

With heartfelt compassion learned from her own experiences and a little twist of spice through humor, the author gives nuggets of wisdom and a lot of leadership principles that are absolutely within our grasp.

Whether you are a seasoned leader or just starting out, this book is for you.  It was one of my most enjoyable reads.  As I read the pages and highlighted paragraph after paragraph, I found myself laughing at times, shedding a few tears and feeling very convicted along the way.

This book is the real deal.  It's something every woman should read.  As I read each new chapter I became more excited.  I felt as if these pages had been penned just for me.  But, I know every woman who reads this will feel the same way.

The book is peppered with comments that could absolutely stand alone in giving us a glimpse into how the Lord works in our lives as women who are meant to lead.   Here are just a few to show you what I mean: God grows us into His calling; You are not defined by your mistakes; Safe but not successful; Committing kindness; Finding your focus.  Each of these is a complete lesson in living as a leader.

The ten chapters in the book are a gold mine of the purest form. As you extract the precious nuggets from them, you will feel your heart of love for others expand.  The first three tell us how we need confidence, authenticity and humility to help us grow into what God has for us.  The next three speak clearly to us on stamina, resilience and courage, without which we could never fulfill our purpose as leaders.  Self-Awareness, kindness and soul-care put on the polishing touches and the chapter on vision gives us deep insight into following our heart for what God has for us.  My favorite quote on vision is this one: "There's one thing about a vision- Once it captures your heart and stirs your passion, it becomes a rudder that steers the course of your life."

At the end of each chapter there are Coaching Questions that can be used for small group discussions, or just for your own deeper quest into the lesson. Jodi Detrick has been where we hope to go, and has left a well marked trail for us to follow.  Without a doubt this book, THE JESUS HEARTED WOMAN, is one I will read over and over. 

Jodi Detrick is an author and columnist for The Seattle Times.  She has a DMin degree in Leadership from the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary and is an adjunct professor at Northwest University in Kirkland, Washington.  She also serves as Chairperson for the national Network for Women in Ministry.  She and her husband Don, live in the Pacific Northwest.

His name is Jones - not Mr. Jones - just Jones.  He claims to notice things most people overlook - things that create perspective.   "Most people", Jones exclaims, "lack perspective."

Jones shows up under a bridge where a young homeless man lives.  He affectionately calls him "Young Man," and points out some obscure details about his crude little hovel.  In a quaint but credible sort of way he continues by offering instructions to "Young Man" that begin as helpful, evolve into hopeful and end up life-changing.

The two men have a feast together-at least that is what Jones calls it.   Sitting under an oak tree on a high sand dune Jones opens cans; one is sardines and the other Vienna sausages.  Young Man, disappointment written all over his face, slumps in the hot sand eating a canned meal.  Jones, right beside him, dines on "surf and turf with an ocean view".  It's all in one's perspective.

Andy Andrews has become my newest favorite author.  I recommend any of his books.  The Traveler's Gift, The Lost Choice, and The Heart Mender are three more I have enjoyed.

When we surrender ourselves to the Lord, learning day by day to treat all that comes to us with the peace of soul and firm conviction that His will governs all, He will see to our growth in grace.  Elisabeth Elliott  http://www.elisabethelliot.org/

He (God) must give us Peace with God, with ourselves, with men, with circumstances, before we can go forth effectually to bring Peace to others. If He has given us these good things, He has bound us to spread them. Let us do so. And if our Peace ever is spoken in vain as regards others, it will come back to us again; and we shall be kept in perfect Peace, even in the midst of strife, until we enter at last into the city of Peace and serve the King of Peace forever.

Alexander MacLaren

Have no fear for the unsettlement or the disturbance of the Kingdom of heaven. It began in eternity, it will go on through everlasting; there is no panic in the divine personality. God is peace, God gives peace, God gives rest.  Joseph Parker

Do not be disquieted about your faults. Love without ceasing, and much will be forgiven you, because you have loved much. Faults perceived in peace, in the spirit of love, are immediately consumed by love itself; but faults perceived in a pettish fit of self-love disturb peace, interrupt the presence of God, and the exercise of perfect love. Vexation at a fault is generally more of a fault than the fault itself.  Francois Fenelon

http://www.francois-fenelon.com/

Oh, how great peace and quietness would he possess who should cut off all vain anxiety and place all his confidence in God.  Thomas a Kempis

http://www.ccel.org/k/kempis/

From DCQ: March 04, 2014, December 15, 2013, August 06, 2013, April 26, 2013, June 02, 2012

http://dailychristianquote.com/

Sometimes parenting gets overwhelming and complicated, thinking of all the things you need to teach your children - and how much could potentially go wrong. But just as important as teaching, writes Tricia Goyer, is praying for your children. And she has found a catchy way to remember to cloak her kids in prayer - from their heads to their toes. 

http://www.crosswalk.com/blogs/christian-trends/4-ways-to-pray-for-your-kids.html 

In 2013, a twelve-year-old girl was lured away from her home by a 21 year-old-man. Once they met, he took her to a motel and took advantage of her. How did this little girl meet this terrible stranger?

http://www.crosswalk.com/family/parenting/kids/9-most-dangerous-apps-for-kids.html

You may have heard it on the news or morning talk shows: Have dinner together as a family often. There's even a national initiative, Family Day, that reminds parents "what your kids really want at the dinner table is you."

Studies have found that kids who have frequent family dinners are less likely to use alcohol, tobacco, or drugs.

Studies have found that kids who have frequent family dinners are less likely to use alcohol, tobacco, or drugs.

Do you remember your wedding day? Can you remember knowing you were marrying your Prince Charming? Your entire being was secure in knowing your life would be perfect-you had found your soul mate. You were a match made in heaven; together you were a recipe for a blessed life.  

"The most wasted of all days is one without laughter." - E.E. Cummings

"Do you two need a tissue?" a voice gently whispered from behind us. We were sitting in a quiet theater watching a somber play when - at the saddest moment - something struck us as funny. Hysterically funny.

At just that moment, Les found a withered old banana in his coat pocket. Who knows how long it had lived there. He set this surprising discovery on my knee. Caught off guard by the incongruity of the banana and the play, I developed one of the worst cases of the giggles I've ever had. Les quickly caught the same disease. We tried desperately to stifle our laughter, but, as we bowed our heads to hide our faces, we couldn't keep our shoulders from shuddering. An older woman behind us, thinking we were moved by what was happening on stage, offered us a tissue for our tears, which made us want to laugh all the more. When Les accepted her kind offer, I really lost it and had to leave the theater. 

http://www.focusonthefamily.com/marriage/daily_living/humor_in_marriage.aspx

Proverbs 17:17-28
"A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." (v.22)

A surprising thing takes place in those whose temper is tempered by the Holy Spirit -- bad temper is replaced by a growing sense of humor.  http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/everydaylight/545796/

And as I knelt beside the brook
To drink eternal life, I took
A glance across the golden grass,
And saw my dog, old Blackie, fast
As she could come. She leaped the stream -
Almost-and what a happy gleam
Was in her eye. I knelt to drink,
And knew that I was on the brink
Of endless joy. And everywhere
I turned I saw a wonder there.1 - John Piper

Who said, "If you're not allowed to laugh in heaven, I don't want to go there"? (Hint: It wasn't Mark Twain.) It was Martin Luther. 

http://www.crosswalk.com/spirituallife/11536116/

I had been sick with a virus for a week and Jerry, my ever kind and comforting husband, offered to do my weekly grocery shopping.  I made a careful list for two stores and diligently went over each item with him before he left.

My peace I give to you, Jesus said, going further to make sure His listeners understood His peace was not like the world gives. Let not your heart be troubled, neither be afraid. Our Spring/Summer WIM Connection has directed our attention to PEACE. I trust you have been encouraged to cultivate the kind of peace that comes from God.

Following our themes of Joy, Love, and Peace, the theme for the Fall 2014 edition is Walking by Faith. Share your faith challenges and the how His grace has helped you walk by faith. Articles 300 - 500 words, poems, photos, art are due August 29, 2014. We are also interested in book reviews and humor.

God bless your coming weeks of summer with restoration and Peace.

You are loved,